PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Music legends celebrate ‘The Queens of R&B Tour’ in Las Vegas

The Queens of R&B Tour is more than a celebration of legendary groups and women in music, it’s also an ode to sisterhood and triumph, says renowned television producer and CEO of Monami Productions Mona Scott-Young, who is spearheading the string of concerts.

Scott-Young hosted a celebration dinner for the upcoming tour May 3 in Las Vegas at Fuhu restaurant, bringing out some of ‘90s R&B’s greatest names and trailblazers. The event included the women of Xscape Total, SWV and 702, who are all set to hit the stage along with singer Mya starting in June.

“It’s my absolute honor,” Scott-Young says. “It’s my absolute pleasure (and) privilege to have the opportunity to create platforms for these cultural moments. And I firmly believe we’re going to be making herstory.”

The Queens of R&B Tour recognizes and pays homage to R&B girl groups and musicians of the ’90s who continue to have an impact.

The tour is set to begin June 27 in Concord,

California, and wrap up Aug. 18 in Los Angeles.

Madonna attracts 1.6M fans for free concert in Brazil

More than a million people thronged Brazil’s Copacabana beach for a free Madonna concert on Saturday, braving the heat to see the end of her “Celebration” world tour.

The sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro’s famed beach were filled for several blocks by a crowd the city estimated at 1.6 million.

Many had been there for hours or even days to get a good spot, while richer fans anchored in dozens of boats near the beach and onlookers crowded beachfront apartments.

Firefighters sprayed water before the concert, when temperatures exceeded 86 degrees Fahrenheit, to cool fans gathered near the pop queen’s stage, and drinking water was distributed for free.

Madonna, 65, performed for more than two hours as she wound up the greatest hits tour.

USA TODAY Network and Reuters